st. jude faith formation 2020-2021 living...

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St. Jude Faith Formation 2020-2021

LIVING L.I.F.E*

*Lifelong Intergenerational Faith & Evangelization

Faith is a lifelong journey.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this journey with you and to

partner with you in the faith formation of your children! Parenting really is at the heart of discipleship. As parents, when you present your children for baptism and raise them in faith, you are answering Jesus’ call to “Go and

make disciples”. (Matthew 28:19)

Here at St. Jude, we partner with your family as you grow in a personal

relationship with Jesus, be his disciples and serve him in mission.

Faith Formation Office Phone Number is 815-463-4260 Office hours are Monday 9 am - 7 pm & Tuesday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm

The Faith Formation Office is closed on Friday

Full contact information can be found on page 12

Program Components

Pages 1- 4 Sacramental Preparation

Page 5 Sunday Preschool/Kindergarten

Page 6

Family Faith Formation 1st - 6th Grades

Pages 6 - 8

Junior High Youth Ministry 7th & 8th Grades

Pages 8 - 9

QUEST High School Youth Ministry

Pages 10 - 11

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Studies say, “Parents

matter most!”

When it comes to raising children in faith, parents matter more than any other factor. When a child is registered in a drop-off religious ed program, the catechists can influence only 3/1000 of the hours in a child’s year. Without partnering with parents, that influence will have little impact. St. Jude Faith Formation is an award winning program* that emphasizes both learning and living the faith in the home and in the community.

Faith Formation is the lifelong process of our communal journey of coming to God. The Catholic Community of St. Jude envisions this journey as a way to promote knowledge of our shared faith, nurture our intimate relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and fulfill our baptismal call as disciples of Jesus Christ. We utilize a holistic approach, in accordance with the General Directory of Catechesis, involving three areas: being, knowing and living. We try to balance our program to teach what it means to be Catholic, to teach what one should know about the Catholic faith and prepare each person to live as a Catholic. It is through encountering Jesus that our children will recognize and follow him and this requires an intentional journey, rather than a series of tasks. We aim to partner with parents to help guide that journey. The parent/guardian and home life provide the primary source of Faith Formation for an individual. The faith experience in one’s home will impact one’s participation in religious faith-building far more than any catechetical program. A home experience focused on knowing, loving and serving God through scripture, prayer and service is essential for establishing a hunger for lifelong, spiritual growth. St. Jude Faith Formation offers a multi-component approach to faith formation which includes Mass, Gathered Sessions, Home Lessons, Explore 4, Families Living the Gospel and more!

The Mass Keep holy the Sabbath Day (7 reflections required for Grades 1-8) All families enrolled in the St. Jude Faith Formation Program are expected to participate in the Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. It is in the context of the Holy Mass that we not only give honor and glory to God, but we receive God himself in the Eucharist. At the heart of the Church stands the Eucharist, the “Source and Summit of the Christian life”. The Eucharist is our source because everything else flows from it, and the summit because there’s nothing greater than it. In an effort to stay centered on the Eucharist, St. Jude is asking each Faith Formation family to attend Catholic Mass weekly and to fill out and turn in at least one Family Catholic Mass Reflection sheet per month. In total, each family should complete 7 Family Catholic Mass Reflection sheets during the course of the Faith Formation year. The Family Catholic Mass Reflection sheet is meant to help you facilitate conversations before and after your family’s Mass-going experience. You can even discuss it on the way home from Mass. Enjoy the quality family time together as your family discusses the Mass! You don’t have to be an “expert” and answer all the questions brought up. You are most welcome to turn in Family Catholic Mass Reflection sheets for every week if you wish.

DAILY MASSES Monday - Saturday 7:30 am

Thursday 9:30 am (During the school year only)

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday 5 pm

Sunday 7 am, 9 am, 11 am & 6:30 pm

*In 2014 St. Jude Faith Formation won a National Award from the National Conference on Catechetical Leadership for our Life of the Parish component called Explore 4. National Catholic leaders call it innovative, catechizing & evangelizing. Also, author/speaker Joe Paprocki wrote about St. Jude’s Faith Formation program for the Catholic publisher Loyola Press, and U.S. Catholic News published a story in 2015 describing and praising our Family Faith program.

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Explore 4 - Life of the Parish Faith Formation A “living” component of our Faith Formation program (4 reflections required for Grades 1-8) Children need to see us “being Church” together. We have to ask ourselves, “Do we practice the kind of church we want our children to have?” Mother Teresa said: “Each person’s mission is a mission of love…begin where you are, with the people closest to you.” At home, at work, at church, begin with the people closest to you, where you live. It is in the Life of the parish that children truly see us being Church together. It is here that they see us living our faith. We ask families to “explore four”… explore the four pillars of our faith: Creed, Sacraments/Worship, Christian Prayer, Christian Living through the Life of the Parish. With “Explore Four” we ask families to attend at least 4 St. Jude sponsored events during the course of a year. These events are opportunities intended to help us explore and grow in our faith and community life. We (and the parish-at-large) provide these opportunities very intentionally to meet people where they are, focused on everyday living of the faith and learning the traditions of our faith. Some events will be audience specific (for kids/adults only), and others will be intended for all ages and perfect for whole families. Some events may have an added cost (such as weekend retreats and mission trips). An Explore 4 - Life of the Parish Reflection Form is available for your family to use as you reflect on your experience. Families should turn in reflection forms for 4 different events. Any event that happens at St. Jude that is not Mass or the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an Explore 4 opportunity. Sacramental preparation does count towards the Explore 4 expectation. Please see the next page for a small list of the events offered. Your family is not limited to only attending events listed here. Information about Explore 4 opportunities will be found in your monthly Faith Formation Newsletter, in the parish bulletin, on our website and Facebook page, and in the parent communications sent home after each session. Jesus charged us with the mission: “Go and make disciples”. We do not have to cross oceans, travel to other continents, or minister to strangers in strange lands, though God may very well call some of us to do this. Instead, most of us will be called to spread the gospel a little closer to home - passing the faith on to the next generation.

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Upcoming Explore 4 Parish Events 2020 – 2021

• Parent Orientation Grades 1-6 (Sept. 10) • Mission Trips Information Meeting (TBA) • Sharefest Projects (Sept. and Oct.) • St. Francis Pet Blessing (Oct. 4) • Teen Trip to Fright Fest (Oct. 12) • College Care Packages (Oct. 15) • Family Game Night (Oct. 23) • St. Jude School Craft Show (Nov. 14) • Rake and Run (Nov. 21) • Family Advent Wreath Making (Nov. 29) • Teaching Mass (Dec. 6) • Giving Tree Volunteerism (Dec. 7 - 11) • JHYM Late Night Social (Jan. 15) • Family Movie Night (Feb. 5) • Pizza Taster Fundraiser (Feb. 6) • Lent Stations of the Cross • Lent Knights of Columbus Fish Fry • Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper (Apr. 1) • Cross Walk (April 2) • Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion (Apr. 2) • Daddy Daughter Dance (TBA) • Feed My Starving Children (TBA) • Learning Events by Ministries (Varies) • Local Service Opportunities (TBA) • RETREATS (Varies - TBA) • Spring Parish Day of Service • And many, many more!

Life of the Parish Events Ongoing Opportunities for

Explore 4 Participation • Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament • Holy Hour Thursdays • First Friday Adoration

• Bible Studies/Gospel Small Groups • Biblical Institute (added cost) • Catechist/Coach Ministry • Welcome retreat • Daybreak Ministry • Elizabeth Ministry • Extraordinary Minister of

Communion • Junior Women's Club • Life in the Spirit Prayer Group • Liturgy of the Hours • Knights of Columbus • Meal Angels

Men’s Ministry Prayer Group • MOMS Social Group • Music Ministries • Peace and Social Justice • RCIA- Rite of Christian Initiation • Respect Life Ministry • Rosary for Life

• Wednesdays 7pm • Saturdays 8am

SACRAMENTAL PREP First Reconciliation Prep

December 1 or 2 First Eucharist Prep

Saturday, February 27 or Saturday, March 13 or Saturday, April 17

First Eucharist Practice April 28 or May 5 (assigned)

2 Confirmation Year 1 Workshops September 20 or 21 January 24 or 25

3 Confirmation Year 2 Preps September 27 or 28 January 10 or 11 March 21 or 22

Coming Special

Events

Totus Tuus

Catholic Summer Camp

July 12-17

2021 PARISH MISSION

February 21st, 22nd & 23rd

Fr. Burke Masters

Watch the bulletin and

newsletter for info or go to: www.dynacal.com/stjudes

Explore 4: Life of the Parish 2014 NCCL New Wineskins Award Winning Initiative

The Parish is the Curriculum!

St. Jude’s Faith Formation approach is focused on forming ourselves and our children in the Catholic faith by full participation in the life of the parish. Explore 4 events focus on PARISH opportunities for being

formed in the faith. Most local community events, though positive in nature and intent, do

not count as Explore 4 events. Occasionally, a parish group will participate in a community event together - these types of event do count as Explore 4 events because the parish community participates together. Certain diocesan events also help us grow in our faith and

build up our local community as well as our universal Catholic Church. If an event is not a St. Jude parish or Joliet Diocese event, please do

not list it as an Explore 4 event. Some multi-day events (like Welcome weekends) count as two Explore 4 events. Up to two Families Living the Gospel reflection forms can be used for Explore 4. If you have

questions about whether an event can be included or not, please call our office at 815-463-4260/463-4262.

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Preparation for the Reception of Sacraments

There is a two year preparation period for the reception of sacraments in the Diocese of Joliet as

mandated by the Office of the Bishop. This preparation is in addition to attendance in regular and ongoing faith formation!

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist First Reconciliation and Eucharist are typically received in 2nd grade or in a child’s second consecutive year of Faith Formation. Generally children in the second grade are considered as having reached the age of reason, and thus ready to receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. In these younger grades, children receive two years of religious instruction with additional preparation for the sacraments in the second year (second grade). If a child arrives in the second grade, this will be their first year of instruction and sacramental preparation will begin in the third grade. If a child arrives after this time, a similar process will be followed and the child will be placed in their grade level classroom. This is because preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in our parish takes the form of family instruction outside of the regular monthly faith formation sessions. This is a faith journey for the whole family as we renew our understanding of and commitment to the gifts of grace we receive in the sacraments. After all gathered sacramental preparation family sessions, activity materials will be sent home with the families. Parents are expected to continue sacramental preparation at home. These family preparation sessions count toward the family “Explore Four” requirement. There will be one preparation session for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Children will then have the opportunity to receive the sacrament in the weeks that follow this session. There will be a family retreat and family practice for First Eucharist. The dates for the reception of the Sacrament of First Eucharist will be assigned by class. Families may also choose to have their children receive First Eucharist at a Sunday celebration of the Liturgy.

Confirmation Confirmation is typically received in 8th grade or in a teen’s second consecutive year of Faith Formation. During preparation for Confirmation in the junior high years, BOTH 7th and 8th grade youth receive two years of religious instruction AND additional sacramental preparation. This sacramental preparation takes the form of retreats, special stewardship opportunities, a focus on the importance of regular Mass attendance and content specific workshops (Catholic Skills Workshops 1 - 2 and Confirmation Prep sessions 1 - 3). The content specific workshops are intended for both youth and their parents and can also count toward the “Explore Four” requirement with parent participation.

Baptism If your child has not yet been baptized and is over the age of 7, please contact the Director of Lifelong Faith Formation regarding special preparation for your child.

Students often begin in our program in the older grades and are in need of First Reconciliation/First Eucharist. Each of these situations will be handled in a pastoral manner; often these students and parents will meet with a faith formation team leader over the period of two years outside of the regular instruction sessions. Each case will be considered on an individual basis, but two years of formal instruction and preparation is the minimum. Students who have missed years of faith formation may be required to make up that formation.

If a child comes from another f a i th format ion/re l i g ious educat ion program or a Catholic school, they still will be expected to go through our sacramenta l preparation sessions. Exceptions may be made if the director/principal of their former program provides us with written testimony to the fact that the youth has received preparation under their direction and in accordance with the Diocese of Joliet or their home diocese.

If an adult desires to receive the Sacraments or is an adult who wishes to become Catholic, please call the Director of Lifelong Faith Formation for specific information on who they should contact and how they too can prepare for the Sacraments as adults.

We look forward to this special preparation with your family!

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Faith Formation Programs & Calendars by Age Please read the following pages, complete registration forms and return to the Faith Formation Office before

June 30, 2020. Registration forms will be accepted beginning April 20, 2020.

Sunday School (Pre-School & Kindergarten Ages 3-5) The Early Childhood years are an important time in a child’s faith formation journey. The young child has a unique understanding of God’s unconditional love, and a natural receptivity to the awe and wonder of the mystery of God. The St. Jude Sunday School program uses a balanced curriculum targeting the young child’s open heart with tangible experiences of God’s presence through lessons from the 7 Catholic doctrinal themes which are taught in a spiraling curriculum throughout the Pre-K through 8th grade years. This program includes prayer experiences, crafts, music and games which are all developmentally designed for your child’s particular age and stage of life. Sessions take place during the 9 am Mass on select Sundays of the year. Children are brought to their assigned classroom just prior to the start of the 9 am Mass and picked up immediately following Mass.

Please use Code – SS on the registration form

Dates (14 sessions) are: September 13 & 20; October 4 & 18; November 8 & 15; January 10 & 24; February 7 & 28; March 7 & 14; April 11 & 18

Coordinator – Sarah Gibbons ([email protected]/815-463-4223)

Families Living Faith (Grades 1-6)

In our Families Living Faith (FLF) program, children in grades 1 - 6 and their families come together for an hour and a half session, once per month. In these sessions students are introduced to a new unit of study by catechists in age-appropriate classrooms. At the same time, parents participate in exploring these same concepts through adult parent sessions. Parents then teach the next two chapters of the unit at home and children complete the unit review before the next class.

Lessons follow the seven thematic units of the children’s curriculum. Families meet once a month to explore these units. Families are also expected to Explore Four (or more) life of the parish events (see details on pages 3 - 4). Sacramental Preparation also counts toward Explore Four. Families are expected to complete and turn in four or more Explore Four reflection forms each year. In addition, F a m i l y Catholic Mass reflections are expected to be turned in monthly (see page 2), and families are encouraged to participate in the Families Living the Gospel Challenge (see page 7) and Children’s Liturgy of the Word (see page 7). At our parent sessions we explore Scripture and Catholic Teaching at an adult level while also coaching parents on how to teach these concepts at home. Parents are the primary faith teachers of their children and we support you in this call. At session, we delve into the themes and concepts the children will be learning in engaging and impactful ways through videos, speakers, small group discussion and faith sharing. Every month the themes and the methods may vary, but the friendships and the camaraderie continue to grow. Our faith journey is lifelong and never ends. Babysitting for children 3 - 5 years of age will be offered at these sessions, provided enough volunteers come forward to make this ministry possible. Children must be potty-trained. Children must be registered for the babysitting program. Please request a nanny ministry registration form if interested. Families sign up for a session time and attend that session time throughout the year (see page 8 for dates). Registrations will be accepted in the order they are received - beginning on April 20, 2020. Availability at each FLF session is limited due to space. Please register ASAP to receive first choice in schedule. We will make every effort to honor your request, but placements are made in the order that registration paperwork is received.

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Please use Code – FLF and the session code on the registration form

Families Called to Table (Grades 1-6)

Families Called to Table (FCT) is a completely homeschool faith formation program in which families receive curriculum support including children’s workbooks, scripted parent lesson plans, and online support for parents and youth. Parents are expected to attend any regularly offered F a m i l i e s L i v i n g F a i t h parent session each month (see page 8 for dates), teach all chapters of the unit at home and help children complete the unit review before the next month’s parent session. We encourage families to connect faith formation to liturgy by providing “Magnifikid” magazines which act as weekly Mass guides for children.

Lessons follow the seven thematic units of the children’s curriculum. Families are also expected to Explore Four (or more) life of the parish events (see details on pages 3 - 4). Sacramental Preparation also counts toward Explore Four. Families are expected to complete and turn in four or more Explore Four reflection forms each year. In addition, s e v e n F a m i l y Catholic Mass reflections are expected to be turned in (see page 2), and families are encouraged to participate in the Families Living the Gospel Challenge (see below) and Children’s Liturgy of the Word (see below). Families will participate in family sacramental preparation as needed.

Please use Code – FCT on the registration form

The following are optional components to the Families Living Faith and Families Called to Table programs. We encourage families to take full advantage of these opportunities as they will give children a fuller understanding and

appreciation for our Catholic faith. Families Living the Gospel Families Living the Gospel acts as a “living” component of our Faith Formation program. In 2014-2015, St. Jude Family Faith Formation was awarded a Ministry Grant from the Catholic Education Foundation of the Diocese of Joliet. The grant was awarded to support the Families Living the Gospel initiative that supports and encourages families to live out Pope Francis’ call for us to become a “Missionary Church” and a “Church of Mercy”. Fami l i es L iv ing the Gospe l teaches f ami l i es about Catho l i c Soc ia l Teach ing and the Corpora l and Sp i r i tua l Works o f Mercy . Families are then encouraged to perform works of service and mercy each month, and complete and turn in a Families Living the Gospel Reflection form to enter their family in the Works of Mercy Challenge prize drawing. Up to two of these reflection forms may also count toward the Explore Four expectation. It is our hope that this will enable our families to spend quality time together, learning about our community’s needs and become empowered to do something about it - to live the message of compassion and love proclaimed in the Gospel. St. Jude also offers many opportunities for families to serve together, such as the Rake and Run, trips to Feed My Starving Children, and the Parish Day of Service in Hopkin’s Park.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Children in grades 1 - 3 are invited to participate in Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW). Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a program in which the Sunday scripture readings are proclaimed and explained on a level appropriate to children. CLOW takes place most Sundays during the 9 am and 11 am Mass. Please refer to the parish calendar at www.stjudes.org for dates. Any child in this age group may participate - no registration is necessary. Parents of children in 1st - 3rd grade are asked to assist at CLOW periodically throughout the year as readers and teachers. Please contact Sarah Gibbons if you would like more volunteer information.

Director of FLF and FCT - Katie Neu: [email protected] /815-463-4291 Coordinator of FLF and FCT - Sarah Gibbons: [email protected] /815-463-4223 Catechetical Support Associate - Berni Kacor: [email protected] /815-463-4262

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T E NTAT I VE F a m i l i e s L i v i n g F a i t h a n d F a m i l i e s C a l l e d t o T a b l e

S chedu l e fo r 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1 Updated calendars will be available in August 2020

Junior High Youth Ministry (Grades 7-8) Our goals are to engage junior high teens and their parents, to evangelize and inspire a renewed understanding of the Catholic faith, and to invite them into a deeper relationship with Jesus. This high-energy and dynamic program will regularly emphasize four cornerstones: Participation, Faith Growth, Fellowship and Stewardship. The youth meet once or twice a month at scheduled times for meaningful experiences of prayer, worship, scripture, community service and catechesis within a relational context. The catechetical sessions are Sundays at 4:45 - 6:15 pm or Mondays at 6:30 - 8:00 pm (see page 9 for dates). In addition, Year One teens, typically 7th graders, are required to attend the two Catholic Skills Workshops (Scripture and Christian Prayer) and Year Two teens, typically 8th graders, must attend three Confirmation Prep Sessions. Corresponding Parent Sessions are offered on Catholic Skills and Confirmation Prep Nights; parents’ attendance counts for “Explore Four”. Both 7th and 8th grade teens are also expected to attend one retreat each year, participate in a variety of service projects and complete one Stewardship Log with a Stewardship Reflection. Families are also expected to complete and turn in four or more Explore Four (see pages 3 - 4) reflections each year and turn in seven Family Catholic Mass Reflections (see page 2).

Please use Codes - JHYM 7/8 Sun or JHYM 7/8 Mon - on the registration form Director of Youth Ministry - Matthew Krumdrick 815-463-4213/[email protected]

Sunday A 10:15am Code FLF Sun A

Tuesday A 5:30pm Code FLF Tues A

Wednesday A 5:30pm Code FLF Wed A

Sacramental Preparation

September 13 October 4 November 8 January 10 February 7 March 7 April 11



First Reconciliation Family Preparation Sessions Tues., December 1st OR

Wed., December 2nd, 6:00 pm First Reconciliation

Service Tues., December 15th, 6:00 pm

Plus Explore Four/Gospel Challenge reflections, Monthly Catholic Mass Reflections and Unit Reviews



At least one parent is expected to attend Sacramental Prep with the child.

Sunday B 10:15am Tuesday B 6:00pm Wednesday B 6:00pm First Eucharist Family Retreat

Code FLF Sun B Code FLF Tues B Code FLF Wed B 10:00 am - 2:30 pm

September 20 September 22 September 23 Saturday, February 27th OR October 18 October 20 October 21 Saturday, March 13th OR November 15 November 17 November 18 Saturday, April 17th January 24 January 19 January 20 February 28 February 16 February 24 First Eucharist Mass dates are March 14 March 16 March 17 assigned by class and will be on April 18 April 20 April 21 either May 1st or 8th

Plus Explore Four/Gospel Challenge Plus Explore Four/Gospel Challenge Plus Explore Four/Gospel Challenge First Eucharist Practice is on reflections, Monthly Catholic Mass reflections, Monthly Catholic Mass reflections, Monthly Catholic Mass April 28th or May 5th, time and Reflections and Unit Reviews Reflections and Unit Reviews Reflections and Unit Reviews date to be assigned

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High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9-12) Our high school students are offered a variety of dynamic outreach experiences each month (see page 11 for dates). Mass is a core element of our spiritual and communal growth. QUEST’s weekly Alpha nights are also a core element of the ministry. In small groups we build faith, leadership and camaraderie. QUEST Nights are monthly faith experiences on Sunday nights immediately following 6:30 pm LIFE Mass that may include prayer, meal time, music, impactful teachings and inspirational discussions! QUEST provides high school students the opportunity for spiritual growth while also providing the opportunity to meet new friends and strengthen o l d friendships. QUEST offers parents the opportunity to support their teens through involvement in a variety of the teen activities such as retreats, service outings and community-building social activities.

Please use Code – QUE on the registration form

Director of Youth Ministry Matthew Krumdrick [email protected]

815-463-4213

Email [email protected] for the parish code and start enjoying!

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Your St. Jude Faith Formation Team!

As partners in your child’s faith formation, we think it’s important for you to know who we are. This team brings over 50 years of faith formation experience to this parish. With advanced degrees in ministry and experience in teaching students and catechetical leaders from around the country, this team combines

education with experience and a love of Christ with a passion for this ministry. We are like you: working jobs (sometimes more than one), having fun on the weekends, raising children and enjoying our families, and

growing in relationship with Christ the best we can. Thank you for accompanying us on our own faith journeys. We feel privileged to work with our St. Jude family!

Berni Kacor Catechetical Support Associate

[email protected] 815-463-4262

Eilish Sullivan Catechetical Support Associate Grades 7 - 12


Katie Neu Director of Lifelong Faith Formation

(General Information/1st - 6th families) [email protected]

815-463-4291

Sarah Gibbons Coordinator of Family Faith Formation (1st - 6th families/Reconciliation/Eucharist Prep)


Matthew Krumdrick Director of Junior & High School Youth Ministries

(7th & 8th Grade/Confirmation Prep/QUEST) [email protected]

815-463-4213 or 630-730-1368

Denise Boisvert Director of Parish Outreach and

Strategic Planning (Infant Baptism Prep/MOMS/Adult Faith Formation)


Fr. Robert Basler Pastor


st. jude faith formation 2020-2021 living...

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